While censor board can only suggest a change, it has come to light that in this case, it even specified what word should replace each cuss word
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; June 7, 2018)

The use of expletives by the film's leads notwithstanding, Kareena Kapoor Khan- and Sonam K Ahuja-starrer Veere Di Wedding had a smooth sailing at the Censor Board. The CBFC passed the June 1 release with an 'A' certificate and some alterations. However, it has now come to light that in a unique move of sorts, the Prasoon Joshi-led board recommended alternatives for the cuss words that were mouthed by the leads.

While regulations suggest that the Censor Board ask that words they deem questionable be beeped out or replaced, this is apparently the first time with Veere Di Wedding that the body has suggested the replacements in writing. mid-day is in possession of a copy of the modifications recommended by the Censor Board. As per the copy, some of the replacements include bi**h to witch, ch***ya to bewakoof and a***ole to jacka**.

Questions a producer, on condition of anonymity, "Since when have CBFC members started suggesting alternatives? They only ask the producer to delete, beep or replace certain words. In this case, every substitute has been selected specifically so that the film is passed without major changes in the dialogues. For instance, behen***d has been made pen***d. That way, it sounds similar. While the members sometimes suggest alternatives verbally, this time around, it was put in writing."

When mid-day reached out to Anurag Shrivastav, CEO, CBFC, he denied having any knowledge of the alterations. He said, "This is a baseless allegation." Despite repeated attempts, CBFC chairman Prasoon Joshi, and producers Ekta Kapoor and Rhea Kapoor remained unavailable for comment.

Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 22, 2017)

Pahlaj Nihalani says he only invited actors and stakeholders to the inauguration on Tuesday
Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 5, 2017)

On Monday, the media was invited to the inauguration of the new Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) office in Mumbai’s Films Division Building, along with a few B-townies, including Amitabh Bachchan, Sunny Deol, Govinda and Raveena Tandon, but none of the Censor Board members had made it to the guest list.

“I got to know about the function from a journalist friend and initially thought that only a few members had not got the invite but enquiries revealed that none of us had,” grouses filmmaker and CBFC member Dr Chandraprakash Dwivedi. When questioned, the CEO of the CBFC, Anurag Shrivastav, in an email justified his decision, saying “This function is of administrative nature and has no bearing on policy issues,” adding, “Since some of the Board members had already objected to even discussing or hearing out the CEO about the new office plans in the Board meeting, it was understood that members would not be interested in this function”.

Earlier, on March 27, the Online Film Certification System was launched in the Capital and Board members were informed only three days prior to the event. They were told that since time was short, they would need to make their own flight and accommodation arrangements and reimbursed later. Feeling slighted, Dwivedi retorted that though he would be in Delhi on the day for other work, he had no wish to attend the function given that the invitation was nothing more than lip service.

The CEO made a reference to that, saying this time the notice period was even shorter as confirmations (Ajay Mittal, Secretary, I & B Ministry, lit the lamp and Amitabh Bachchan inaugurated the office) were received much later. Invitation cards were not made or mailed either and Chairman Pahlaj Nihalani invited film personalities on SMS on April 2. Given the flak they had faced earlier for the short notice, he felt it would be worse this time.

“Dr Dwivedi despite being in Delhi chose to excuse himself from that prestigious function. Hence it was thought prudent to avoid any criticism on this ground at least. Unfortunately however, the results are the same,” Anurag noted.

Dwivedi argues that if he chose to not attend one event, it didn’t mean that other Board members not be invited for another. “It is our prerogative if we wish to attend or not, but the courtesy should have been extended to every member,” he says.

Another board member, filmmaker Ashoke Pandit, terms the move a “sign of arrogance” and complains that Pahlaj Nihalani is running the CBFC like his own production house. “We have been appointed by the government. The fact that he didn’t invite us proves that he is an anarchist,” he thunders.

While Anurag did not wish to comment on the matter “as it is not my area”, Nihalani informed that he had invited only the stakeholders and the actors. “The Mumbai Censor Board members are working against the act and guidelines of the CBFC. I haven’t been using their service for the last two years. When I hold meetings they grumble and I’m not comfortable with that so I did not invite any Board or panel members. If they valued the CBFC, they would have come on their own. For the Delhi event we had invited everyone, but only a few turned up and if the short notice was a problem then let me tell you that Mr Bachchan came despite the short notice,” he asserts.

Theatre owners slam Pahlaj Nihalani's allegations of Rangoon being screened without censor certificate and anti-smoking disclaimer in theatres
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; March 9, 2017)

Controversies refuse to leave Vishal Bhardwaj's Rangoon, alone. Although the film continues to play in multiplexes and single screens, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has now alleged that it has been playing in certain theatres without flashing the censor certificate at the start of the screening, which is mandatory. They're also not running the short film that carries the anti-smoking statutory warning, before the film and after intermission, they allege.

Ashoke Pandit, senior member of the CBFC, told mid-day, "It's unlikely that a filmmaker like Vishal and a studio like Viacom would do something of this sort, but let's wait and watch till the board files a police complaint."

Exhibitor Akshaye Rathi, who is also a theatre owner, said it may have been an oversight on the part of one theatre, but "the investigation may have come a tad late because Rangoon is already in theatres. If the claim is true, it's possible that some digital content provider may have missed it (flashing the certificate and disclaimer)."

Anurag Shrivastav, CEO of CBFC, said he was travelling. "I'm not exactly sure what has happened. But if we have evidence to support the claim, we will take legal action." Yesterday, CBFC chairperson Pahlaj Nihalani told a daily that it was a "serious offence" to skip the disclaimer and certificate. He said the board would take legal action against the digital operators since it was their responsibility to play the exact length of the film certified by CBFC. Skipping the anti-smoking film means the digital operators are screening less footage than what was approved.

While Viacom refused to comment, sources from Carnival Cinemas, Inox and PVR said the allegation wouldn't hold ground. "No multiplex can play a film without a censor certificate or disclaimers. Doing that involves the risk of being sued. We conduct multiple checks. Shows are often cancelled if there's a missing disclaimer. Vishal is not Kanti Shah to submit one film to the CBFC and play something else in theatres," said a source from PVR. Calling the allegations untrue, Bhardwaj's spokesperson said, "The film is running with adequate disclaimers."


Vishal Bhardwaj, Ashoke Pandit and Pahlaj Nihalani

Gunda's 'star director' in trouble for lafda done khullam khulla: one film for CBFC, another for theatres!
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; September 7, 2016)

Last month, Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) chief Pahlaj Nihalani registered an FIR against producer Kanti Shah for "illegal interpolation of vulgar content" in horror-erotica, 'Ghost House'. The Board had cleared the film with an 'A' certificate, but theatres were, shockingly, screening portions that weren't part of the censor copy. Interpolation is common with B-grade films, but in this case, Nihalani claimed that the footage was 80 per cent interpolated.

CBFC member Ashoke Pandit, who had certified the film originally, says, "I remember watching the movie. It was terrible, and I had made many cuts. The film that is playing in theatres is entirely different from the one certified by us. They are showing a porn film to people. There should be criminal proceedings against Shah for tampering with certified content, but I am not sure what the status of the case is."

Clearly, that hasn't happened yet, although DCP Vinayak Deshmukh of MIDC Police Station (Andheri East) says, "The probe is underway. We are trying to find solid evidence against Shah."

The film, which released in a few parts of Maharashtra, including Nagpur, and several small centres in North India, continues to find screens in towns.

When quizzed on the same, Shah said, "I am at a Ganpati Puja right now. It is an auspicious day, not the right time to talk about this."

Repeated queries to Nihalani went unanswered. He had earlier summoned Shah on finding out about the film from an exhibitor in Nagpur. But, when the producer didn't show up at his office after repeated requests, Nihalani took the legal route. After all, one of the major amendments suggested by the CBFC boss in the Cinematograph Act was taking interpolation seriously.

Anurag Shrivastav, CEO of CBFC, says, "The CBFC had filed the FIR. We weren't asked for any specific document or reference. Once the complaint is filed, we don't have much role to play. The police have to give us feedback."

Hiren Kotwani (BOMBAY TIMES; June 25, 2016)

Gaurav Dubey (MID-DAY; May 27, 2016)

So what if the Censor Board is hell bent on going ban-ban, cut-cut on many a Bollywood and Hollywood film? Filmmakers, slowly but surely, seem to be learning how to defy sanskaari rules of the certification body. Earlier this week, Shahid Kapoor and Alia Bhatt-starrer Udta Punjab failed to get the Board’s nod over the blatant use of cuss words and scenes showing substance abuse. After trying in vain to convince the examining committee (EC) about the importance of the dialogues as well as the scenes, the makers have directly approached the Film Certification Appellate Tribunal (FCAT) instead of resorting to the next logical step — knocking on the doors of the Board’s revising committee (RC).

Last month, Ekta Kapoor had got Great Grand Masti, the third instalment of sex comedy Masti, cleared by FCAT after the EC had rejected it for public viewing. Apparently, she had sanitised the upcoming film at her level and then approached the tribunal, which passed it saying it was a lot less vulgar than Kyaa Kool Hain Hum 3 and Mastizaade, both of which released in January.

Among similar instances of a filmmaker placing his/her film before the tribunal and getting it greenlighted include Jannat 2 (2012) and recent releases, Jai Gangaajal, Mastizaade and Love Games.

A well- placed source says, “The Board members had been divided over the number of cuts that should be effected in Udta Punjab, which deals with rampant drug use among youth in Punjab, although they had unanimously agreed to granting it an ‘A’ certificate. Since the meeting proved to be inconclusive, the film was to be sent to the RC. However, the makers have decided to appeal to the tribunal directly.”

Earlier, the trailer, which had expletives mouthed by Shahid and Alia, had also been ‘toned down’. When it came to certifying the film, reports claimed three members of the EC had suggested only a few cuts, but the fourth member dug in his heels, demanding a much higher number of cuts. Despite efforts of the regional officer to reach a solution, the four stuck to their stand. “The makers have no problem with the adult certification, but they want to get an all-clear with minimum cuts or else the film will be reduced to a mere 20 to 25-minute product. So, they have decided to move the tribunal and wait for their suggestions,” a source close to the project says.

Despite repeated attempts, the film’s publicist, director Abhishek Chaubey, producers Vikas Bahl of Phantom Films and Aman Gill of Balaji Motion Pictures remained unavailable for comment. However, Anurag Shrivastav, CEO of the Censor Board, confirms the development saying, “It’s a normal process and I don’t understand why this ruckus is being created. There were some differences among members of the EC, so we had referred the film to the RC. But the makers have directly gone to FCAT which will now take a decision.”

The film, which also stars Kareena Kapoor Khan and Punjabi superstar Diljit Dosanjh, is slated to release next month.